Strap buckle



May 17, 1960 E. c. ELSNER 2,936,500

STRAP BUCKLE Filed July 28, 1958 3 Sheets-Sheet 1.

. lbw/M 61 525/1459,

- N INVENTORv Z4 MM /mul May 17, 1960 E. c. ELSNER 2,936,500

STRAP BUCKLE Filed July 28, 1958 :5 Sheets-Sheet 2 [an/w 6L 525/1499, INV E NTOR.

E. C. ELSNER May 17, 1960 STRAP BUCKLE 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 Filed July 28,1958 [om/v C. ELSA/5e INVENTOR.

STRAP BUCKLE Edwin C. Eisner, Glendale, Calif., assignor to AeroquipCorporation, Jackson, Mich., a corporation of Michigan Application July28, 1958, Serial No. 751,269

12 (Ilaims. (Cl. 24-196) This invention relates to a strap buckleemployed to connect opposite ends of a strap or webbing, or to connectends of two separate straps or lengths of webbing, each otherwisesecured at their opposite ends, or to connect a strap or piece ofwebbing to a fixed point.

Buckles of the general character mentioned are well known, but many ofthem are elaborate in design and construction, expensive to manufactureand assemble, damaging to the strap or webbing material which they aredesigned to secure, dimcult to place in operative condition, difficultto hold in operative position without slippage under tension, anddifficult to release.

An object of the present invention is to provide a buckle of thecharacter mentioned which is simple in design, and which has a minimumnumber of movable parts.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a buckle which,because of its simplicity and minimal number of parts, is easy andinexpensive to manufacture and assemble.

A further object of the invention is to provide a buckle with positivegripping means which will hold firmly a strap or length of webbing understrong tension without appreciable damage thereto.

Another object of the invention is to provide a buckle in which the freeend of a strap or length of webbing which it is designed to secure maybe easily or quickly mounted through the buckle, and also may be readilyand quickly released from operative position, even under a heavy loadtension.

The invention also comprises novel details of construction and novelcombinations and arrangements of parts which will be apparent from thefollowing description and drawings which, however, merely describepreferred embodiments of the present invention, and which are given forpurposes of illustration and example only.

In the drawings:

Figure 1 is a plan view of the buckle in operative position.

Figure 2 is a side elevation of the buckle with the threaded strap undertension.

Figure 3 is a vertical section of the buckle taken on the line 33 ofFigure 1, with the strap under tension.

Figure 4 is a view similar to Figure 3 but with the strap tensionreleased.

Figure 5 is a front elevation taken on the line 5-5 of Figure 3.

Figure 6 is an enlarged cut-away and exploded view of the spindle shownin Figure 5.

Figure 7 is an enlarged vertical section of the spindle taken on theline 7-7 of Figure 6.

Figure 8 is a side elevation of the buckle similar to Figure 2, but ofan alternative form, showing a lever releasing mechanism in closedposition.

Figure 9 is a plan view of the same alternative form of the buckleshowing the lever releasing mechanism in 70 Figure 10 is a sideelevation of the buckle showing theclosed position.

lever releasing mechanism of the same alternative form 2 ,936,500Patented May 17, 1960 of the buckle in an open position with the straptension released.

Figure 11 is an enlarged cut-away vertical section of the samealternative form of the buckle taken on the line 11-11 of Figure 9, withthe threaded strap under tension, but showing an alternative form ofspring mechanism designed to bias the spindle in forward position.

Figure 12 is a plan view of another alternative form of the buckle inoperative position.

Figure 13 is a side elevation of the alternative form of the buckleshown in Figure 12 with the threaded strap under tension.

Figure 14 is an enlarged vertical section of the same alternative formof the buckle with the threaded strap under tension.

Figure 15 is an enlarged vertical section similar to Figure 14 but withthe strap tension released.

Figure 16 is a further enlarged cross-section taken. on

7 or stop 12 for spindle plates 13 hereinafter described.

The side plates 10 have complementary horizontally elongated slots 14cut therein, and a spindle 15 extends between the side plates 10 andthrough said slots 14. The ends of the spindle 15 are of somewhat lessdiameter than the greatest diameter of the slots 14, and the spindle ismounted with its ends projecting through and beyond said slots 14 beingadapted to slide horizontally in said slots and to turn therein.

A member 16, preferably of tubular form, is rigidly mounted to the sideplates 10 at the rearward end thereof and spans the distance betweensaid side plates 10. To the member 16 is fastened a strap or webbing 17,generally by forming a bight 18 and firmly fastening a free end 19 tothe strap 17 as by stitching as at 20, although it will be recognizedthat many other suitable means of firmly fastening the strap or webbing17 to the buckle, such as riveting, are feasible.

The spindle 15 has rigidly mounted on the outside ends thereof spindleplates 13, whichare mounted parallel to the side plates 10 and spacedtherefrom a suflicient distance to permit the free sliding and turningof the spindle 15 within the slots 14, but with a limited lateralmovement. The spindle plates 13 have notches 21 which seat against thestop 12 on the cross plate 11 when the spindle 15 is in a forwardposition and tension is being exerted on a strap or webbing 22, therebylimiting rotational movement of the spindle 15 in a counter clockwisedirection. The spindle plates 13 also have surfaces 21a which abutagainst the cross plate 11 to limit rotational movement of the spindle15 in a clockwise direction as viewed in the drawings.

The extreme ends of the spindle 15 have rigidly mounted thereon nuts,washers or flanges 23 which are preferably provided with knurledsurfaces 24, permitting firm finger gripping thereon when it is desiredto release the tension on the buckle by sliding the spindle 15rearwardly in the horizontal slots 14.

The spindle 15 is provided with a relatively heavily knurled area 25,and the land surface thereof has a fiat area 26, the knurled area 25 andthe fiat area 26 being in spaced relationship to each other with theflat area 26,

t under the'spindle 15, along the flat area 2 6, over the top of thespindle 15, and under the front edge 12 of the cross plate 11.

When tension is applied to the strap 22, a bight is formed around thespindle 15 and the spindle .15 is drawn forward and, by reason of thepull on the fiat area 26, the spindle .15 is forced, at the same time,to turn in a counter-clockwise direction, as viewed in Figures 1-4,until the knurled area 25 of the spindle 15 comes in contact with thefree end 27 of the strap 22 and firmly grips the strap in positionbetween the spindle and an under surface 28 of the cross plate 11. Theunder surface is generally complementary to the outside form of thesurface 25. The spindle 15 is. held in that position by the tension onstrap 22 and the seating of surface 21 against the stop 12.

When it is desired to release the tension of the trap 22,rearwardpressure is applied to the flanges 23, thereby withdrawing thepressure of the knurled area 25 from the strap 22 and permitting thespindle 15 to turn in a clockwise direction, thus turning the knurledarea 25 out of contact with the strap 22 and allowing the strap 22 toslide freely around the spindle 15.

An alternative form of the invention is shown in Figures 811 inclusivein which form there are freely rotationally mounted on the spindle 15 atthe ends thereof and outside the spindle plates 13, lever plates 40which are joined at the rearward end thereof by cross member 41. Thelever plates 40 have eccentric camming surfaces 42. A cross bar 43 isrigidly mounted at the forward end of the cross plate 11 at the seat orstop 12. The camming surface 42 and the mounting of the lever plates 40on the spindle 15 are so arranged that when pull tension is applied tothe strap 22 and the spindle 15 is moved forward in the slots 14, thecross member 41 rests on the side plates 15 and the eccentric surface 42is in close proximity to, but clear of, the cross bar 43, as shown inFigure 8, but that when it is desired to release the tension on thestrap 22, the cross member 41 is lifted, thereby bringing the cammingsurface 42 into direct pressure abutment against the cross bar 43 andthus forcing the spindle 15 rearwardly in the slots 14. As the upwardmovement of the cross member 41 is continued, further rearward pressureis exerted on spindle 15 until the full pressure of the knurled area 25is withdrawn from the strap 22 and the spindle 15 turns in a clockwisedirection, thereby turning the knurled area 25 out of contact with thestrap 22, and allowing the strap 22 to slide freely around the spindle15.

An additional optional feature is shown in Figure 11 in which springs 50are seated in slots or grooves 51 in the side plates and press againstthe spindle 15, impelling the spindle forward into the tension-holdingposition. When this optional feature is incorporated into the device andit is desired to release the tension of the strap 22, the rearwardpressure exerted on the spindle 15 must compress the springs 50 enoughto permit the full pressure of the knurled area 25 to be withdrawn fromthe strap 22 and to permit the spindle 15 to turn in a clockwisedirection, thereby turning the knurled area 25 out of contact with thestrap 22 and allowing the strap 22 to slide freely around the spindle15.

In the alternative form of the device shown in Figures 12-16 inclusive,the side plates 10 have the same complementary horizontally elongatedslots 14 cut therein, and the spindle 15 extends between the side plates10 and through said slots 14, exactly as in the forms of the deviceshown in Figures 1-11 inclusive. The ends of the spindle 15 aresimilarly of somewhat less diameter than the greatest diameter of theslots 14, and the spindle is similarly mounted with its ends projectingthrough and beyond the slots 14, also being adapted to slidehorizontally in said slots and to turn therein. However, in saidalternative form, the cross plate 11a, although either rigidly mountedon the edges of the side plates 10, or formed as an integral partthereof, and spanning the 4 distance between the side plates 10 at theforward end thereof, do not extend beyond the outside faces of the sideplates 10 but is mounted or form flush therewith. Consequently, no seator stop 12 appears in said alternative form.

The member 16a of the said alternative form, shown in Figures 12-15inclusive is of modified tubular form, is mounted similarly to themember 16 in Figures 1, 3, 4, 8 and 10 and serves a similar function.

In the said alternative form of the device, there are no separatespindle plates 13 as shown in Figures 810 inclusive, but lever plates a,rigidly joined at the rearward end thereof by cross member 41a whichspans the distance between said lever plates a, are rigidly mounted onthe outside ends of the spindle 15, rather than freely rotationallymounted, as are the lever plates 40 shown in Figures 8-11. Lever plates40a are mounted similarly to spindle plates 13 in the primary form ofthe device, that is, parallel to the side plates 10 and spaced therefroma sufiicient distance to permit the free sliding and turning of thespindle 15 within the slots 14, but with a limited lateral movement.Said lever plates 40a have eccentric camming surfaces 42a. A cross bar43a is rigidly mounted on the forward edges of the side plates 10 andspans the distance between the side plates it) at the forward end ofsaid side plates 10. It may be rigidly mounted on the cross plate 11a atthe forward edge thereof or may be formed as an integral part thereof.

The cross bar 43a is mounted with its ends 91 projecting beyond theoutside faces of side plates 19 and adapted to form a seat or stopforthe carnming surfaces 42a, as hereinafter described.

In the said alternative form of the device, extended slots 51a are cutinto side plates 10, open-ended into the rear of slots 14. Slid'eablymounted in said extended slots 51a are studs 95, best shown in Figure16. Studs have rearwardly open-ended chambers 95 cut therein, andsprings 50a are disposed in said extended slots 51a and said chambers 96so as to seat at the rearward walls of said extended slots 51a and theforward walls of said chambers 96, thus impelling the studs 95 in aforward position, in contact with the spindle 15, which in turn isimpelled forward into the tension-holding position herein described.

The strap or webbing 22 is threaded through the said alternative form ofthe buckle in exactly the same way, that is, by inserting a free end 27thereof into the front end of the buckle between the side plates 10, andpassing it under the spindle 15, along the flat area 26, over the top ofthe spindle 15, and under the bar 43a.

When, in the said alternative form of the buckle, tension is applied tothe strap 22, a bight is formed around the spindle 15 and the spindle 15is drawn forward. By reason of the pull on the flat area 26, the spindle15 is forced, at the same time, to turn in a counter-clockwisedirection, as viewed in Figure 14, until the knurled area 25 of thespindle 15 comes in contact with the free end 27 of the strap 22 andfirmly grips the strap in position between the spindle 15 and an undersurface 28a of the cross plate 11a. At this point furthercounter-clockwise direction of the spindle 15 and of the lever plates40a, rigidly mounted thereon, is arrested by the impingement ofcross-member 41a on the side plates 10, as at 97, and in this positionthe camming surfaces 42a are in close proximity to, but clear of, thecross bar 43a.

When it is desired to release the tension of the strap 22 in the saidalternative form of the device the cross member 40a is lifted in thedirection shown in Figure 15, thereby bringing the camming surface 42ainto direct pressure abutment against the ends 9ft of the cross bar 43a.The spindle 15 is thus forced rearwardly in the slots 14, against thepressure of the springs 59a. As the upward movement of the cross member41a is continued in the direction shown in Figure 15 further rearwardpressure is exerted on spindle 15 until the full pressure of the knurledarea'25 is withdrawn from the strap 22 and the spindle 15 turns in aclockwise direction, thereby turning the knurled area 25 out of contactwith the strap 22 and allowing the strap 22 to slide freely around thespindle 15.

While the instant invention has been shown and described herein in whatis conceived to be the most practical and preferred embodiments thereof,it is recognized that departures may be made therefrom within the scopeof the invention, which is therefore not to be limited to the detailsdisclosed herein, but is to be accorded the full scope of the claims soas to embrace any and all equivalent devices.

Having thus described the invention, what I claim as new and desire tosecure by Letters Patent is:

1. A buckle for connecting straps or webbing comprising a body structurehaving parallel side plates, a cross plate spanning the distance betweenthe side plates at the forward end thereof, and across member spanningthe distance between the side plates at the rearward end thereof, saidcross member being adapted for having mounted thereon a strap orwebbing, complementary elongate horizontal slots in the side plates, aspindle spanning the body structure and slideably and rockably disposedin said slots, said spindle having a flattened surface area and aknurled surface area in spaced relationship thereto, and spindle platesrigidly mounted on the outside extremitIes of the spindle in closeproximity to and parallel with the outside surfaces of the side platesof the body structure, notches in the forward surfaces of said spindleplates adapted to abut on the cross plate and limit the rocking movementof said spindle plates and spindle in one direction, and extendingsurfaces on said spindle plates adapted to abut on said cross plate andlimit the rocking movement of said spindle plates and spindle in theopposite direction.

2. A buckle for connecting straps or webbing comprising a body structurehaving parallel side plates, a cross plate spanning the distance betweenthe side plates at the forward end thereof, and a cross member spanningthe distance between the side plates at the rearward end thereof, saidcross member being adapted for having mounted thereon a strap orwebbing, complementary elongate horizontal slots in the side plates, aspindle spanning the body structure and slideably and rockably disposedin said slots, said spindle having a flattened surface area and aknurled surface area in spaced relationship thereto, spindle platesrigidly mounted on the outside extremities of the spindle in closeproximity to and parallel with the outside surfaces of the side platesof the body structure, said spindle plates having knurled flangesmountedexternally thereof, notches in the forward surfaces of saidspindle plates adapted to abut on the cross plate and limit the rOckingmovement of said spindle plates and spindle in one direction andextending surfaces on said spindle plates adapted to abut on said crossplate and limit the rocking movement of said spindle plates and spindlein the opposite direction, and springs seated in said slots, impingingon said spindle and normally biasing said spindle forwardly in saidslots. 7

3. A buckle for connecting straps or webbing comprising a body structurehaving parallel side plates, a cross plate spanning the distance betweenthe side plates at the forward end thereof, and a cross member spanningthe distance between the side plates at the rearward end thereof, saidcross member being adapted for having mounted thereon a strap orwebbing, complementary elongate horizontal slots in the side plates, aspindle spanning the body structure and slideably and rockably dispcsedin said slots, said spindle having a flattened surface area and aknurled surface area in spaced relationship thereto, spindle platesrigidly mounted on the outside extremities of the spindle in closeproximity to and parallel with the outside surfaces of the side platesof the body structure, notches in the forward surfaces of said spindleplates adapted to abut on the cross plate and limit the rocking movementof said spindle plates'and spindle in one direction and extendingsurfaces on said spindle plates adapted to abut on said cross plate andlimit the rocking movement of said spindle plates and spindle in theopposite direction, springs seated in said slots, impinging on saidspindle and normally biasing said spindle forwardly in said slots, andcamming plates having eccentric camming surfaces at the forward edgesthereof rotationally mounted on the spindle at the outside extremitiesthereof and adapted to abut on the cross plate and impel the spindlerearwardly in said slots.

4. A buckle for connecting straps or webbing comprising side platesrigidly mounted parallel to and spaced apart from each other, a crossplate spanning the distance between the side plates at the forward endthereof, a cross member spanning the distance between the side plates atthe rearward end thereof, said cross member being adapted for havingmounted thereon a strap or webbing, a spindle around which the free endof a strap is trained in the form of a bight, said spindle extendingbetween the side plates approximately midway thereof and slideably androckably disposed in elongate horizontal slots in the side plates, aknurled area on the spindle, a flattened area on the spindle in spacedrelationship thereto, spindle plates rigidly mounted parallel to theside plates on the outside extremities of the spindle, and notches onsaid spindle plates adapted to abut against the cross plate when thespindle is in forward position under tension, whereby, when the free endof a strap is trained around the spindle in the form of a bight and pulltension is applied thereto, the spindle will be impelled forward by thepull tension on the flattened area of the spindle and rocked in oneposition until the knurled area of the spindle is in full contact withsaid strap or webbing and the strap or webbing is held in lockedposition against the under surface of the cross plate, and, when thespindle is impelled rearwardly, the spindle will be turned in theopposite direction, the knurled area on the spindle will be removed fromcontact with the strap or Webbing, the strap or webbing will be freefrom its locked position against the under surface of the cross plate,and the strap or webbing may be readily released from tension.

5. A buckle for connecting straps or webbing comprising side platesrigidly mounted parallel to and spaced apart from each other, a crossplate spanning the distance between the side plates at the forward endthereof, a cross member spanning the distance between the side plates atthe rearward end thereof, said cross member being adapted for havingmounted thereon a strap or webbing, a spindle around which the free endof a strap is trained in the form of a bight, said spindle being mountedunder the cross plate in complementary relation to the under surface ofthe cross plate, extending between the side plates approximately midwaythereof and slideably and rockably disposed in elongate horizontal slotsin the side plates, a knurled area on the spindle, a flattened area onthe spindle in spaced relationship thereto, spindle plates rigidlymounted parallel to the side plates on the outside extremities of thespindle, and notches on said spindle plates adapted to abut against thecross plate when the spindle is in forward position under tension,whereby, when the free end of a strap is trained around the spindle inthe form of a bight and pull tension is applied thereto, the spindlewill be impelled forward by the pull tension on the flattened area ofthe spindle and rocked in one position until the knurled area of thespindle is in full contact with said strap or webbing and the strap orwebbing is held in locked position against the under surface of thecross plate, and, when the spindle is impelled rear wardly, the spindlewill be turned in the opposite direction, the knurled area on thespindle will be removed from contact with the strap or webbing, thestrap or webbing will be free from its locked position against the under7 surface of the cross plate, and the strap or webbing may be readilyreleased from tension.

6. A buckle for straps or webbing comprising a bifurcated body embodyinggenerally parallel side plates rigidly spaced by a cross member, thelatter being adapted for fixed retention of a strap or webbing, saidside plates having elongated transversely aligned slots therein, spindlemeans slideably and rockably mounted in said slots and adapted toreceive a looped strap or webbing, a cross plate transversely positionedon said side plates and having an under surface portion generallycomplementary to a portion of said spindle means, said spindle meansbeing adapted to coact with said under surface portion to clamp a strapor webbing therebetween when the spindle means is rocked and slid insaid slots in one direction and to loosen said strap or webbing when thespindle means is rocked and slid in the opposite direction, stop meansadapted to limit the rocking movement of the spindle means in onedirection, and other stop means adapted to limit said rocking movementin the other direction.

7. A buckle for connecting straps or webbing comprising a body structurehaving parallel side plates, a cross plate spanning the distance betweenthe side plates at the forward end thereof, and a cross member spanningthe distance between the side plates at the rearward end thereof, saidcross member being adapted for having mounted thereon a strap orwebbing, complementary elongate horizontal slots in the side plates, 21spindle spanning the body structure and slideably and rockably disposedin said slots, said spindle having a flattened surface area and aknurled surface area in spaced relationship thereto, camming plateshaving eccentric camming surfaces at the forward edges thereof rigidlymounted on the outside extremities of the spindle in close proximity toand parallel with the outside surfaces of the side plates of the bodystructure, a cross member spanning the distance between the cammingplates at the rearward end thereof, said cross member being adapted tolimit the rocking movement of the spindle and camming plates in onedirection, and a bar spanning the distance between the side plates atthe forward end thereof and adapted to abut on the eccentric cammingsurfaces of the camming plates and impel the spindle rearwardly in saidslots.

8. A buckle for connecting straps or webbing comprising a body structurehaving parallel side plates, a cross plate spanning the distance betweenthe side plates at the forward end thereof, and a cross member spanningthe distance between the side plates at the rearward end thereof, saidcross member being adapted for having mounted thereon a strap orwebbing, complementary elongate horizontal slots in the side plates, aspindle spanning the body structure and slideably and rockably disposedin said slots, said spindle having a flattened surface area and aknurled surface area in spaced relationship thereto, camming plateshaving eccentric camming surfaces at the forward edges thereof rigidlymounted on the outside extremities of the spindle in close proximity toand parallel with the outside surfaces of the side plates of the bodystructure, a cross member spanning the distance between the cammingplates at the rearward end thereof, said cross member being adapted tolimit the rocking movement of the spindle and camming plates in onedirection, spring actuated studs mounting in the rear of said slotsimpinging on said spindle and normally biasing said spindle forwardly insaid slots, and a bar spanning the distance between the side plates atthe forward end thereof and adapted to abut on the eccentric cammingsurfaces of the camming plates and impel the spindle rearwardly in saidslots.

9. A buckle for connecting the free ends of a strap or length of webbingand comprising side plates rigidly mounted parallel to and spaced apartfrom each other, a cross plate rigidly mounted on the exterior edges ofthe side plates spanning the distance between the side plates at theforward end thereof, a second cross member rigidly mounted on the sideplates, spanning the distance between the side plates at the rearwardend thereof, on which one end of a strap or webbing is mounted, aspindle around which the free end of the strap is trained in the form ofa bight, the spindle extending between the side plates approximatelymidway thereof and freely extending through horizontal slots in the sideplates, the spindle being of a diameter somewhat less than the diameterof the slots and adapted to slide and rock therein, the cylindricalsurface of the spindle being knurled in one portion there- .of andflattened on the land portion thereof, camming plates having eccentriccamming surfaces at the forward edges thereof rigidly mounted on theoutside extremities of the spindle in close proximity to and parallelwith the outside surfaces of the side plates of the body structure, across member spanning the distance between the camming plates at therearward end thereof, said cross member being adapted to limit therocking movement of the spindle and camming plates in one direction, anda bar spanning the distance between the side plates at the forward endthereof and adapted to abut on the eccentric camming surfaces of thecamming plates and impel the spindle rearwardly in said slots.

10. A buckle for connecting the free ends of a strap or length ofwebbing and comprising side plates rigidly mounted parallel to andspaced apart from each other, a cross plate rigidly mounted on theexterior edges of the side plates spanning the distance between the sideplates at the forward end thereof, a second cross member rigidly mountedon the side plates, spanning the distance between the side plates at therearward end thereof, on which one end of a strap or webbing is mounted,a spindle around which the free end of the strap is trained in the formof a bight, the spindle extending between the side plates approximatelymidway thereof and freely extending through horizontal slots in the sideplates, the spindle being of a diameter somewhat less than the diameterof the slots and adapted to slide and rock therein, the cylindricalsurface of the spindle being knurled in one portion thereof andflattened on the land portion thereof, camming plates having eccentriccamming surfaces at the forward edges thereof rigidly mounted on theoutside extremities of the spindle in close proximity to and parallelwith the outside surfaces of the side plates of the body structure, across member spanning the distance between the camming plates at therearward end thereof, said cross member being adapted to limit therocking movement of the spindle and camming plates in one direction,spring actuated studs mounting in the rear of said slots impinging onsaid spindle and normally biasing said spindle forwardly in said slots,and a bar spanning the distance between the side plates at the forwardend thereof and adapted to abut on the eccentric camming surfaces of thecamming plates and impel the spindle rearwardly in said slots.

11. A buckle for connecting straps or webbing comprising a bodystructure having parallel side plates and complementary elongatehorizontal slots in said side plates; a cross plate spanning thedistance between said side plates at the forward end thereof; a crossmember spanning the distance between said side plates at the rearwardend thereof and adapted for mounting a strap or webbing thereon; aspindle spanning the body structure between said side plates andslidably and rockably disposed in said slots in said side plates, saidspindle having a flattened surface area and a knurled surface area inspaced relationship thereto; means responsive to rotation of saidspindle for sliding and rotating said spindle in said slots; and stopmeans adapted to prevent rotation of said spindle in one direction whenthe knurled surface area of said spindle is in position opposite saidcross plate, and to permit rotation of said spindle in the oppositedirection to move said knurled surface area away from said cross plate.

12. A buckle for connecting straps or webbing comprising a bodystructure having parallel side plates and complementary elongatehorizontal slots in said side plates; a cross plate spanning thedistance between said side plates at the forward end thereof; a crossmember spanning the distance between said side plates at the rearwardend thereof and adapted for mounting a strap or webbing thereon; aspindle spanning the body structure 10 between said side plates andslidably and rockably disposed in said slots in said side plates, saidspindle having a flattened surface area and a knurled surface area inspaced relationship thereto; means responsive to rotation of saidspindle for sliding and rotating said spindle 15 in said slots; and stopmeans adapted to prevent rotation of said spindle in one direction whenthe knurled surface area of said spindle is in position opposite saidcross plate, and to permit rotation of said spindle in the oppositedirection to move said knurled surface area and said flattened surfacearea away from said cross plate.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS885,064 Luhmann Apr. 21, 1908 913,469 Cleaveland Feb. 23, 1909 1,234,818Sturrock July 31, 1917 1,376,781 Rosenlof May 3, 1921

